Kundi calls PTI long march a 'circus', warns of consequences if it triggers unrest

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership of serious consequences if its long march resulted in unrest, challenging party leaders to lead the protest themselves rather than sending workers to the front.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, the governor challenged the PTI leadership to cross Swabi on Friday if it had the courage to do so. Kundi also criticised the K-P government for its confrontational approach towards the federal government, saying a province had to be administered in coordination with the centre.

Dismissing the march, he said: “It is not a long march; it is a circus moving from one city to another.” He added that the PTI’s May 9 protests continued to damage the party’s image and warned that any fresh attempt to create a similar situation would have consequences that future generations would remember. “They say the workers should go into the protest without leaders. Where will you hide? If you dare, the leaders must come first. I know how to deal with you all,” he said.

The governor further said he knew how to defend the Governor House and was prepared to take responsibility for the consequences of the punitive measures he had ordered, whether minor or serious.

“I do not engage in mere rhetoric; I take action,” Kundi said, adding that the PTI should learn from the consequences of its previous confrontations and guide future generations towards democratic politics.

He advised the protesters to study Articles 149 and 131 of the Constitution, as well as Schedule Four, to understand the relevant legal provisions. He also announced that he would convene a meeting to discuss the law and order situation.

Accuses PTI of failing to condemn terrorist attacks

Highlighting recent terrorist attacks in K-P, including incidents in Karak and Khyber, Kundi criticised the PTI leadership for its failure to condemn such attacks. “They never condemn these attacks,” he said, adding that the party lacked the courage to challenge terrorist groups.

The governor also criticised the provincial government for failing to provide adequate resources and fair remuneration to the police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel deployed on the front lines.

He accused the PTI-led provincial government of seeking control over the police rather than facilitating the force in carrying out its duties. “All they care about is ‘conquering’ Islamabad,” he said, dismissing the party’s long march as “a drama, an act”.

Kundi said he regularly raised the issue of counterterrorism in his communications with the prime minister, president and interior minister, describing the fight against terrorism as his foremost priority.

“Terrorism is our red line; our party and many other parties have lost their leaders in attacks,” he said, adding that preventing terrorist groups from gaining ground in the province was a shared priority. “We will not let terrorists prevail in our province. This is our one-point agenda,” he said.

He further said the K-P government should formulate and present its own security policy if it disagreed with the federal government’s approach, either on the floor of the provincial assembly or at a press conference. “They have never done that,” he said, questioning whether the PTI leadership intended to follow policies dictated by Kabul, Jalalabad and Kandahar.

He accused the party of distancing itself from discussions on counterterrorism and said its approach could not be allowed to undermine peace and stability in the province. “Doesn’t this province deserve peace, progress and wellbeing?” he asked.

The governor said he would provide the federal government with an assessment of the ground situation whenever requested, adding that the security challenges facing the province were evident to all.

He added that he had little hope of progress with the PTI leadership, accusing it of adopting positions that he believed were contrary to the country’s interests.

Kundi further said Parliament was the most appropriate forum for negotiations with the PTI, while questioning the authority of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in decision-making.

Responding to a question about inviting the PTI for negotiations, Kundi said: “There is no forum bigger than the parliament for debate.” He stated that the leaders of the PPP, PML-N and PTI had participated in previous talks, but the decision-making authority rested with someone who had “probably escaped the country”.

He added that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had also reiterated the need for reconciliation and dialogue with the PTI leadership within the constitutional framework. However, he said, some parties were unwilling to pursue that approach, leaving little room for progress.

Criticises K-P govt over law and order

Kundi questioned the provincial government’s ability to maintain law and order and protect its elected representatives.

“You should know who are kidnapping your people since you are the chief executive of the province. If you cannot protect your lawmakers, how will you protect the province and its people?” he asked.

He said the chief minister should have resigned instead of complaining about the abduction of lawmakers.

Highlighting the province’s administrative challenges, Kundi said doctors, university faculty members, nurses, teachers and employees of tehsil municipal administrations (TMAs) were on strike over various grievances.

He accused the provincial government of focusing on financial gains rather than resolving the problems confronting public-sector employees and government departments.

Kundi further stated that the province needed effective governance and pledged to protect its people and confront terrorism. “We will protect our province and fight against the terrorists on the front line,” he said, adding that his government would teach the provincial administration how to run the province.

Commenting on the possibility of imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in the province, he said the decision rested with the prime minister and the president, who were better placed to determine whether such a measure was necessary.